The meaning of Coptic in short summary are Egyptian Christians with the inclusion of ancient Egyptian language as we know, Hieroglyphics. Copts use the last stage of the language script. Coptic also expresses the unique architecture and art that evolved as a clear expression of new faith.
The origins of the Coptic church a timeline:
-In 61 A.D. The teachings of Saint Mark are a big foundation of how the Coptic religion became what it now is. Saint Mark, one of the four evangelists brought Christianity to Egypt during the reign of the Roman Emperor Nero in the first century. Christianity was spreading rapidly in Alexandria, Egypt after the arrival of Saint Mark. The Coptic Church is one of the oldest religions as it is more than 19 centuries old. Copts also believe that they were the subject of many prophecies in the Old Testament.
-In 100 the Coptic script began to develop
-In 251 Monasticism, “the gift of Egypt to Christianity,” began with St. Antony (ca. 251-356) in the eastern desert of Middle Egypt and gradually expanded throughout Egypt to the Western Desert, up the Nile Valley, Nubia, and eventually to Ethiopia.
What is Monasticism?
Monasticism came from Egypt and had an important role in forming the Coptic Church’s character of submission and humility through the teachings and writings of Egypt’s Desert Fathers. Monasticism emerged in the final years of the third century and thrived in the fourth century. Saint Anthony, the first Christian monk, was a Copt from Upper Egypt. Saint Pachomius, who created the monastery regulations, was a Copt. And Saint Paul, the world’s first anchorite, is a Copt.
-In 284 the Coptic calendar, based on the Ancient Egyptian solar calendar, was formally created in September of this year. The first year, known as the Year of the Martyrs, remembers one of the deadliest periods in Coptic Christian history, from 245 to 313 A.D., under the Roman Emperor Diocletian. September 11 is commemorated annually as the beginning of the new Coptic year.
-In 285 The Theban Legion (a detachment of the Roman Empire’s Army forcibly recruited in Egypt) transports Egyptian Christianity, including music and prayers, across the Alps into France and Switzerland.
-In 313-337 Emperor Constantine the Great moves the Roman Empire’s capital to Constantinople. Egypt will now be under to Christian Byzantium’s dominion, which will become increasingly oppressive.
-In 451 Following the Council of Chalcedon’s schism, the See of Alexandria is divided into two patriarchal succession lines: Melkite (Greek royalist) and native orthodox (Coptic). For decades, Copts have struggled to preserve their indigenous liturgies, with the most success occurring in secluded monasteries.
-In 452 Under Roman authority, Demotic gradually gave way to a Greek-derived Coptic script, with seven additional letters borrowed from Demotic to represent Egyptian phonetics not found in Greek.
-In 642 640A.D. ‘Amr Ibn al-‘As entered present-day Egypt and completed the Arab conquest of the country within two years. To add on, almost all Egyptian rulers have persecuted the Copts. Their clergymen were tortured and deported even by their Christian brethren following the Chalcedon schism in 451 A.D. and until the Arab conquest of Egypt in 641 A.D.
-In 685-705 the reign of Umayyad Caliph Abd al-Malik ibn Marwan. This Caliph made Arabic the official administrative language of the Egyptian people and administration. All Copts who wanted government jobs had to learn Arabic.
-In 969-1171 & 979 1003 The Fatamid dynasty, which means “The Triumphant,” founded Cairo.
-1046-1077 During the rule of Patriarch Christodoulos, the patriarchal seat moved from Alexandria to Cairo.
-1171-1250 Saladin (Salah-al Din), a great warrior, established the Ayyubid dynasty.
-1250-1517 The final Ayyubid Sultan gets assassinated, and Mamluke control starts.
The persecution of the Copts
Copts acknowledge their strength as a community in their long history of resilience and perseverance, which began on May 8, 68 A.D., when their patron saint, Mark, was murdered on Easter Monday. Roman soldiers dragged him through Alexandria’s streets and alleyways until he died. Throughout history, practically every Egyptian monarch has persecuted the Coptic community. Their clergy were tortured and expelled, including by fellow Christians, following the Chalcedonian schism in 451 A.D., and this persisted until the Arab invasion of Egypt in 641 A.D.
Despite centuries of persecution, the Coptic Church has never sought political power or permitted itself to be governed by the state. The Church has long supported the separation of church and state, which is based on Christ’s teaching, “Render to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s” (Matthew 22:21). It has never opposed authority or sided with earthly forces, adhering to Christ’s words: “All who take the sword will perish by the sword” (Matthew 26:52).
The Church’s survival demonstrates the wisdom of these teachings.
Although the copts have gone through many years of persecution the Copts believe that the cross is the reminder that they have survived their persecution. Carrying the cross to copts represents 3 levels to self denial: denying themselves, carrying their cross and following christ. It shows trials, tribulations, and hardships of course however for the priests its a physical reminder of following christ.
